[56ls408]

I installed lap belts front & rear in the 56 but am stupid or stubborn enough that rarely wear mine resent the heck out of my wife's Avalon because it won't shut up till I buckle up. Again not real smart.

 

[ruff555]

no seatbelts in my 57. keeping her original

 

[BamaNomad]

no seatbelts in my 57. keeping her original

If your concern is 'original class' judging, there's no worry. Original auto judging rules were changed many years ago to allow such safety upgrades as 'seat belts' even to totally original unrestored cars!
Safety comes FIRST...or third.. depending on your personal views!

 

[Robert Haas]

Wonder how many of these "Original" owners in this thread have bias ply tires?

 

[rodonnell]

I would have loved to have my original teeth . Would have if I wore the original set belt . Now I have an original scar .

 

[55 Rescue Dog]

With belts, at least you have half a chance. Not so with your car laying on top of you. Jay Leno found out!
jay leno barracuda wheel stand accident - Yahoo Video Search Results

 

[Custer55]

I have 3 point belts in mine and always use them. Also anybody riding with me has to use them or we don't go anywhere. An unbuckled passenger can kill others in the car in an accident. My brother thought he didn't need to wear his seat belt in my truck (2007 Sierra) one time. I shut the engine off and told him to buckle up or walk. He buckled up.

 

[Beachcomber]

Installed two lap belts Front & Rear even though nobody has ever ridden in the back. But that's OK . Never had them as a kid and survived, but now I almost feel naked without them !

 

[BamaNomad]

After watching several hours of 'Drivers Training' films each Saturday for a few months (way back when I was in the USAF - as a result of citations of my 'speed capability' ...), I've used seat belts every time I get in the car for the last 50 years or so, and I feel naked when they aren't buckled also! Also I don't drive until any passengers are buckled up as well~

 

[hotrodg726]

I'll bet the guy who died at the nationals in 2019 wish he had worn his seat belt.

 

[panelman]

So I took my truck to a cruise night over the weekend, and also took 2 of the kids out for a ride in it on Sunday. I thought about this thread alot while I was driving.

Long story short, I have ordered aviation lap belts for it today.. My biggest concern has been, while driving it, that I can already see people not paying attention to my turn signals, even though I know that they are working!! The truck is a tank, but there are just too many reckless people driving out there today.

EDIT: also made sure I ordered ones made in the U.S.A. Got them from jegs.com

 

[panelman]

I'll bet the guy who died at the nationals in 2019 wish he had worn his seat belt.

Is this what you are referring to?

UPDATE: Indiana man dies in fatal accident on I-65 in Bowling Green

Kentucky State Police tell 13 News a fatal accident occurred on I-65 in Bowling Green near the 26 mile marker a little after 5:30 p.m. Friday.

www.wbko.com

 

[hotrodg726]

yes, he had no set belts and was driving on 13 year old tires. had a blow out and rolled the car, was ejected and died from injuries on the scene, was very disheartening to see the crashed car and deceased body under a yellow tarp.

 

[rc74racer]

I currently do not have them on the 57, but will be adding at least lap belts. It just feels odd not having them and I want my kid with me and not sliding around everywhere.

 

[Postman57]

I believe adding some sort of restraint system is a wise move. The flawed argument is they will not make the car “safe.” This is largely true, but they will without a doubt make the car “safer.”

I believe everybody should do as they feel best, but I would submit the argument they do nothing is patently false. JMHO and somewhat informed opinion.

 

[panelman]

My wife could not believe that my truck passed without them. I told her, they were not required in 1957!!!!

 

[1971BB427]

I go to a lot of swap meets whenever one is close by, and I buy old racing harnesses that have expired per NHRA Tech, and racers have to replace them. They're extremely high quality, and have lots of adjustment in them too. Not pretty for high end cars, so not for everyone. But I have them in both of my cars, and usually buy a complete setup for about $10.
Only use what I need for my cars, so sometimes it's the whole 5 point, and sometimes I only use the lap belts.

 

[55 Rescue Dog]

Here is my 5-point camlock harnesses, roll bar, and NASCAR collapsible steering column.

 

[panelman]

Very nice!

 

[panelman]

yes, he had no seat belts and was driving on 13 year old tires. had a blow out and rolled the car, was ejected and died from injuries on the scene

This post just made me also finally pull the trigger and order my new rear tires. I have zero clue what the age is of the tires on the back of my truck, not to mention I've already owned the truck for 5 years myself! :O